You don’t have to be a royal to experience all that London has to offer. Put your wallet away and check out these four free things to do in this British city.
Changing of the Guard
It’s practically unheard of to visit London without staking out your spot in front of Buckingham Palace to see the famous Changing of the Guard, a tradition that dates back to the 15th century. Red-coated guards wearing those iconic black bearskin hats are relieved of duty to much fanfare – literally, there’s quite the musical procession – on a daily basis in the summer. The procession falls on every other day August through April.
Trafalgar Square
Whether you’re an art lover or a people watcher, you’ll enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the public area of Trafalgar Square. Public art adorns the columns throughout the square, and you can also visit both the National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery for free. This is a popular spot in London, so stake out a seat on the stairs and let the people watching begin.
The Thames
Take a free stroll along the River Thames to see the city in a different light. From the South Bank, you’ll have unspoiled views of London landmarks like Big Ben, the London Eye and the Palace of Westminster. While you’re there, you can check out the city’s collection of contemporary art at Tate Modern, which offers free admission, and don’t miss a chance to walk over the pedestrian Millennium Bridge that overhangs the river.
Free walking tours
If you want to delve a little deeper into London’s essence, join a free walking tour of the city courtesy of Sandeman’s New Europe London. The two-and-a-half-hour walking tour hits all of London’s essentials, including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. Billed as the Royal London Tour, you’ll learn all about the rulers of England and the history of the city.
(Main image: Jeff Dow/Mostly Dans)
